With ba… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist, composer and singer.
With bassist Richard Cousins, keyboardist Peter Boe and drummer Tom Murphy, they launched The Robert Cray Band in 1980 with "Who's Been Talkin". The album was recorded during constant touring in the U.S. in 1978. The record was initially shelved for two years, being eventually issued by the short-lived Tomato label (whose licence was picked up by "Atlantic Records" (U.S.) and "Charly" in the UK.
After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury in 1982. It was the connection with the producing and songwriting team of Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker at Hightone that helped to create the mold-breaking music of "Bad Influence" (1983) and "False Accusations" (1985).
In 1984, The Robert Cray Band completed their first European tour to critical acclaim. Cray's participation with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland on "Showdown!" (1985, Alligator) and the 1986 album release, "Strong Persuader", again produced by Walker, both received Grammy Awards, while the crossover single "Smoking Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition. During 1986 Cray played 170 concerts, including his seventh European tour since 1984, building on his increasing reputation in the UK.
The Robert Cray Band's next album "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (1988) was recorded in Los Angeles, California, and featured David Sanborn on guest saxophone. The title song from the album won Cray his third Grammy, and he guested on Eric Clapton's "Journeyman", whilst also being on the bill at Clapton's eighteen show marathon at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 1991 Cray was selected to present Howlin' Wolf's induction trophy to Wolf's widow, Lilly Burnett, at the sixth annual "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" Awards. Later that year Cray took part in the "Newport Jazz Festival" with B. B. King and John Lee Hooker.
Cray issued his following records under his own name, Robert Cray
I Shiver
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So bad, I scare myself
My hair is turnin' gray so fast
I'm worried about my health
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I shiver all over, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
My stomach's twisted up in knots
My blood's pressure's runnin' up so high
I know it's gonna stop my heart
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I shiver all over, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
I've got spots all over my body
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I got a headache that just won't go away
It's a wonder that I'm not dead
I got spots all over my body
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I got a headache that just won't go away
It's a wonder that I'm not dead
My doctor looked at my condition
He said, "Oh, Bob, you look all a mess
There ain't a thing that I can do about you
But you can sure use a whole lot of rest"
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I can't even sleep at night, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
I ain't got you
No, no, no
No, no, no
No, no, no
The Robert Cray Band's "I Shiver" illustrates a man stricken with a chronic illness that causes him to feel isolated and alone. The song depicts the physical and emotional symptoms of the singer and the profound impact that his loved one has on his condition. The lyrics convey the agony and discomfort that the singer is experiencing, using metaphors such as "hair turning gray," "fever," "blood pressure's running so high," and "spots all over his body." These serve as powerful images to depict the physical deterioration of the singer's health.
The refrain, "I shiver all over," is used effectively to capture the singer's sense of loneliness and isolation. He feels as if he is in a perpetual state of tremor, exacerbated by the absence of the person he loves. He longs for their presence to soothe the physical and psychological pain he is experiencing, as indicated by the line "I can't even sleep at night, 'cause I ain't got you."
The song provides a poignant insight into the psychology of chronic illness and the effects on mental health. It is not only the physical ailments that require attention but also the emotional pain that results. This song speaks to the profound importance of social support and intimate relationships for individuals who are experiencing health issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I get the blues in the mornin'
I feel sad and depressed in the morning
So bad, I scare myself
It's so intense that it frightens me
My hair is turnin' gray so fast
I'm aging rapidly due to the stress
I'm worried about my health
I have concerns about my physical well-being
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I shiver all over, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
I feel cold and alone because I miss you so much
I'm burnin' with a fever
I have a high temperature
My stomach's twisted up in knots
I have a feeling of anxiety in my gut
My blood's pressure's runnin' up so high
I know it's gonna stop my heart
My blood pressure is dangerously high and could cause heart problems
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I shiver all over, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
I feel cold and alone because I miss you so much
I've got spots all over my body
I have a rash or blemishes on my skin
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I have red eyes that need to be covered
I got a headache that just won't go away
I have a persistent headache
It's a wonder that I'm not dead
I'm surprised I haven't died from the stress and health issues
My doctor looked at my condition
My physician evaluated my health condition
He said, "Oh, Bob, you look all a mess
He expressed concern for my physical appearance
There ain't a thing that I can do about you
There are no immediate solutions for my health problems
But you can sure use a whole lot of rest"
But what would benefit me is a lot of rest
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I can't even sleep at night, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
I ain't got you
I feel cold and alone even at night, and it's because I miss you
No, no, no
Repeating 'no' as an expression of sadness and exhaustion
No, no, no
Repeating 'no' as an expression of sadness and exhaustion
No, no, no
Repeating 'no' as an expression of sadness and exhaustion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAM CRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Emerick
I get the blues in the morning.
So bad, I scare myself
My hair is turning gray so fast,
I'm worried about my health,
And I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
'Cause I ain't got you!
Mmmmm...
I'm burning with a fever.
My stomach's twisted up in knots.
My blood's pressure is up so high
I know it's gonna stop my heart.
And I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
'Cause I ain't got you!
Mmmmm...
I've got spots all over my body,
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I've got a headache that just won't go away.
It's a wonder that I'm not dead.
I've got spots all over my body,
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I've got a headache that just won't go away.
It's a wonder that I'm not dead.
My doctor looked at my condition,
He said oh, Bob you look a mess
There ain't a thing I can do about you
But, you sure can use a lot of rest.
And I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
I can't even sleep at night,
'Cause I ain't got you!
Mmmmm...
I ain't got you!
No!
No, no no no
No, no no no
No, no no no,
I shiver all over,
James Robinson
Robert cray has lived his songs with a vengeance and a broken heart he is a true blues man. We all love you and you're songs. God bless you robert. Keep on going strong.
John Emerick
I get the blues in the morning.
So bad, I scare myself
My hair is turning gray so fast,
I'm worried about my health,
And I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
'Cause I ain't got you!
Mmmmm...
I'm burning with a fever.
My stomach's twisted up in knots.
My blood's pressure is up so high
I know it's gonna stop my heart.
And I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
'Cause I ain't got you!
Mmmmm...
I've got spots all over my body,
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I've got a headache that just won't go away.
It's a wonder that I'm not dead.
I've got spots all over my body,
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I've got a headache that just won't go away.
It's a wonder that I'm not dead.
My doctor looked at my condition,
He said oh, Bob you look a mess
There ain't a thing I can do about you
But, you sure can use a lot of rest.
And I shiver all over,
I shiver all over,
I can't even sleep at night,
'Cause I ain't got you!
Mmmmm...
I ain't got you!
No!
No, no no no
No, no no no
No, no no no,
I shiver all over,
Diamond Dave
Thanks. Kickass song
TeaCup Party
This right here, all childhood my Dad would be playing it in the car ahah, love it!
Diamond Dave
One of the most enjoyable songs of any genre ever
Scotty Spliffen
Seen Robert 3 times in my life I’m 30yr my pops showed me what good music is and Robert and his band is in that ducking realm my fav song of his cousins bass playing on this jam is fucking wicked baby so groovy love it love the band true blues man at its finest no gimmicks no fucking games
Leslie Shiflet
Love it
lseay81
True great. Saw him in a little church in Jax beach with my old navy buddy and his now wife...Amazing, nasty guitar....
Diamond Dave
Nice!🤘🏻
Scotty Spliffen
Robert and the band are super underrated the whole fucking band thru out the years with all the changes are still tight and well ran! Seen Robert 3 times I'm 28 years old my pops put me on to ol Robert and I fucking love every second of this mans music truly a fuckimg musical genius!! One of the best and most tasteful guitar players!! Long live the fucking king Robert cray!